Image processing apparatus and image processing method

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes a fundus image acquisition unit configured to acquire a fundus image of an eye, a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a polarization-sensitive tomographic image of the eye, and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display, superimposed on a position in the fundus image which corresponds to a discontinuous portion in a predetermined layer of the eye shown in the polarization-sensitive tomographic image, a display form indicating the discontinuous portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for processing an image of a subject. In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for processing a tomographic image of a subject's eye.

2. Description of the Related Art

An optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique using interference of multi-wavelength light enables acquisition of a high-resolution tomographic image of a sample (in particular, of a fundus of the eye).

In recent years, an ophthalmologic OCT apparatus can acquire, in addition to a normal OCT image of a shape of fundus tissue, a polarization-sensitive OCT image using a polarization parameter (i.e., retardation and orientation), which is an optical characteristic of the fundus tissue.

The polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) can form the polarization sensitive OCT image using the polarization parameter to be formed, and perform distinguishing and segmentation of the fundus tissue. PS-OCT uses the fact that some layers in the retina (or fundus) of an eye reflect polarized light differently from other layers. International Publication No. WO 2010/122118 A1 discusses a polarization-sensitive OCT which employs a light beam that has been modulated to a circularly-polarized beam as a measuring beam for examining the sample. Detection is then performed by splitting the interference beam into two linearly-polarized beams perpendicular to each other, so that the polarization-sensitive OCT image is generated with different layers in the fundus being imaged differently depending on their interaction with the polarized light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, a missing portion of a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer (i.e., a discontinuous portion in a predetermined layer) is recognizable in the polarization-sensitive OCT image of the subject's eye when it has a disease causing the missing portion. It is desirable to have an image processing apparatus capable of providing useful information for diagnosis with respect to such a missing portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes a fundus image acquisition unit configured to acquire a fundus image of an eye, a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a polarization-sensitive tomographic image of the eye, and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display, superimposed on a position in the fundus image which corresponds to a discontinuous portion in a predetermined layer of the eye shown in the polarization-sensitive tomographic image, a display form indicating the discontinuous portion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the position corresponding to the missing portion (i.e., a discontinuous portion in the predetermined layer) can be displayed on an image of the fundus, so that useful information for the diagnosis can be provided.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E illustrate examples of images generated by a signal-processing unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a display example of a display screen on a display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a display example of the display screen on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a display example of the display screen on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a display example of the display screen on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a display example of the display screen on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a display example of the display screen on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a two-dimensional layer thickness map displayed on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a display example of the display screen on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a display example of the display screen on the display unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

An image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is capable of displaying, on an image of the fundus (a fundus image), a position corresponding to a discontinuous portion in a predetermined layer (e.g., a missing portion in an RPE layer). The image processing apparatus can thus provide useful information for diagnosis. For example, FIG. 11 illustrates display forms 1102 (i.e., two-dimensional regions), indicating the discontinuity in the RPE layer of the subject's eye (as seen in the tomographic image 1103), superimposed on a fundus image 1101. More specifically, it is desirable to display the display forms 1102 superimposed on the fundus image 1101 at the positions corresponding to discontinuous regions 1104 in the RPE layer 1105 of the subject's eye in the tomographic image 1103 indicating the polarization state (i.e., the polarization-sensitive OCT image). Such a tomographic image may be referred to as a polarization-sensitive tomographic image or a tomographic image indicating a polarization state in order to differentiate it from a tomographic intensity image or a conventional tomographic image (discussed below). In such a case, it is desirable to extract, from a three-dimensional tomographic image formed of a plurality of two-dimensional tomographic images indicating the polarization state, a three-dimensional layer region as the (for example) RPE layer. Further, it is desirable to identify three-dimensional discontinuous regions as the discontinuous portions, based on the three-dimensional layer region.

Furthermore, it is desirable to display a display form 1105 indicating the RPE layer superimposed on a tomographic intensity image 1103. The user can then easily confirm, with an image obtained by superimposing the display form 1105 indicating the RPE layer on the tomographic intensity image 1103 and an image obtained by superimposing the display form 1102 indicating the discontinuity on the fundus image 1101 displayed side by side, the missing portions in each image by associating them with each other. In such a case, it is desirable that the acquisition position of the tomographic image indicating the polarization state and the acquisition position of the tomographic intensity image are the same position within the subject's eye. The positions of the acquired tomographic image indicating the polarization state and the acquired tomographic intensity image may be adjusted as they are acquired, or afterwards using post-imaging processing, and the display forms 1102 and 1105 may then be superimposed.

Moreover, it is desirable to display, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the fundus image 1101 superimposed on a fundus photograph 1106, the latter being a color fundus image captured by a fundus camera, on a display area in a display screen on a monitor. As a result, the user can confirm the positions of the missing portions in the color fundus image, which is easier to recognize as compared to a monochrome fundus image, and useful for diagnosis. The fundus image 1101 is an image of a narrower range as compared to the fundus photograph 1106. It is desirable that the fundus photograph 1106 and the fundus image 1101 are aligned based on a characteristic region such as a blood vessel. Further, it is desirable to superimpose the fundus image 1101 on the fundus photograph 1106 while making a region of comparatively low intensity transparent. The user can thus easily confirm the positions of the missing portions in the color fundus image, so that such a display form is useful in diagnosis.

Further, if there is a plurality of discontinuous portions 1104 in the tomographic intensity image 1103, it is desirable that the image processing apparatus includes a designation unit, such as a mouse, for the user to designate one of the discontinuous portions. In such a case, it is desirable to change the display form of the designated portion among a plurality of discontinuous portions 1104 to a different format, namely a different color or shape, or have it highlighted, from the display forms of the other discontinuous portions according to the designation by the designation unit. Further, it is desirable to change the display form of the discontinuous portion in the fundus image 1101 corresponding to the designated portion to make it different from the display form of the other discontinuous portions. The user can thus easily distinguish the designated portion and the other portions, so that such a display form is useful in diagnosis.

Further, the portion designated by the designation unit may be one of a plurality of discontinuous portions 1102 in the fundus image 1101. In such a case, it is desirable as described above to change the display form of the designated portion from the display form of the other discontinuous portions according to the designation by the designation unit. Further, it is also desirable to change the display form of the discontinuous portion in the tomographic intensity image 1103 corresponding to the designated portion to turn it into a display form that is different from the display form of the other discontinuous portions according to the designation by the designation unit. As a result, the user can easily confirm the position of the corresponding missing portion in both images even when there is a plurality of missing portions in the image.

Furthermore, the fundus image 1101 may be a fundus image indicating the polarization state (i.e. a polarization-sensitive fundus image), such as a retardation map or a birefringence map (to be described below) instead of a fundus intensity image as indicated above.

An imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a subject such as a subject's eye, skin, and an internal organ. Further, the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment may be an ophthalmologic apparatus or an endoscope. Methods and apparatuses according to preferred embodiments will be described below that enable the desired effects defined above. Specifically, the way that the polarization-sensitive fundus image and therefore the intensity fundus image, as well as the way that the polarization-sensitive tomographic images and, therefore, the tomographic intensity image are acquired will be described. Following on from this, the way that the layers in the eye are differentiated and designated (e.g., using a degree of polarization uniformity map) will be described and the way that discontinuities in these layers are found and diagnosed (e.g., using a retardation image or a birefringence image) will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ophthalmologic apparatus, which is an example of the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. At least a portion of a signal-processing unit 190 to be described below may be considered as an image processing apparatus. Alternatively, the signal-processing unit 190 in conjunction with the ophthalmologic apparatus may be regarded as an image processing apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ophthalmologic apparatus includes a polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) 100, a polarization-sensitive scanning laser ophthalmoscope (PS-SLO) 140, an anterior segment imaging unit 160, an internal fixation lamp 170, and a control unit 200.

The ophthalmologic apparatus is aligned by lighting the internal fixation lamp 170 and causing the subject's eye to gaze at the internal fixation lamp 170, and using the image of the anterior segment of the eye captured by the anterior segment imaging unit 160. After completing the alignment, the PS-OCT 100 and the PS-SLO 140 perform imaging of the fundus.

The configuration of the PS-OCT 100 will be described below.

A light source 101 made of a super luminescent diode (SLD), i.e., a low-coherent light source, emits light having a central wavelength of 850 nm and a bandwidth of 50 nm. Any light source that can emit low coherent light, such as an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light source, may be used as the light source 101.

The light emitted from the light source 101 is guided by a polarization maintaining (PM) fiber 102 and a polarization controller 103 to a fiber coupler 104 having a polarization preserving function. The beam is then split into a measuring beam (hereinafter referred to as a “measuring beam for a tomographic image”, or an “OCT measuring beam”) and a reference beam corresponding to the measuring beam.

The polarization controller 103 adjusts the polarization state of the beam emitted from the light source 101, and adjusts the beam to a linearly-polarized beam. A branching ratio of the fiber coupler 104 is 90 (reference beam):10 (measuring beam).

The measuring beam is output from a collimator 106 via a PM fiber 105 as a parallel beam. The output measuring beam reaches a dichroic mirror 111 via an X scanner 107, lenses 108 and 109, and a Y scanner 110. The X scanner 107 includes a galvano mirror that scans the measuring beam in a horizontal direction on a fundus Er, and the Y scanner 110 includes a galvano mirror that scans the measuring beam in a vertical direction on the fundus Er. The X scanner 107 and the Y scanner 110 are controlled by a drive control unit 180, and are capable of scanning the measuring beam in a desired range on the fundus Er. The range in which the measuring beam is scanned on the fundus may be considered as an irradiation position of the measuring beam and as an acquisition range of the tomographic image including an acquisition position of the tomographic image. Further, the X scanner 107 and the Y scanner 110 are examples of a scanning unit for PS-OCT, and may be configured as a common XY scanner. The dichroic mirror 111 reflects light having wavelengths of 800 nm to 900 nm, and transmits light of other wavelengths.

The measuring beam reflected off the dichroic mirror 111 passes through, via a lens 112, a λ/4 polarizing plate 113 arranged to be inclined at an angle of 45° from a P-polarization direction and from an S-polarization with respect to an optical axis as a rotational axis. The phase of the beam is thus shifted by 90°, and is polarized to be a circularly-polarized beam. The λ/4 polarizing plate 113 is an example of a polarization adjustment member for the measuring beam for adjusting the polarization state of the measuring beam. If a PS-SLO optical system to be described below is to be applied, the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 may be disposed in a common optical path between a portion of the PS-OCT optical system and a portion of the PS-SLO optical system. As a result, variation in the polarization states generated in the images acquired by the PS-OCT optical system and the PS-SLO optical system can be comparatively reduced. In such a case, the scanning unit for the PS-SLO and the scanning unit for the PS-OCT are arranged in mutually-conjugate positions, and may be arranged to be conjugate with the pupil in the subject's eye. The inclination of the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 is an example of a state of the λ/4 polarizing plate 113, and is an angle from a predetermined position in the case where the optical axis of a polarizing beam splitting surface of a fiber coupler 123 including a polarizing beam splitter is the rotating axis.

Further, the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 may be inserted and removed from the optical path. For example, the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 may be mechanically configured to rotate around the optical axis or an axis parallel to the optical axis as the rotational axis. As a result, a compact apparatus capable of easily switching between the SLO optical system and the PS-SLO optical system can be realized. Further, a compact apparatus capable of easily switching between the OCT optical system and the PS-OCT optical system can be realized.

The beam incident on the subject's eye is thus polarized to a circularly-polarized beam by arranging the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 to be inclined at an angle of 45°. However, the beam may not become a circularly-polarized beam on the fundus Er due to the characteristic of the subject's eye. To solve such a problem, the drive control unit 180 can perform control to finely adjust the inclination of the λ/4 polarizing plate 113.

A focus lens 114 mounted on a stage 116 focuses, on layers in a retina in the fundus Er via an anterior segment Ea of the subject's eye, the measuring beam polarized to a circularly-polarized beam. The measuring beam irradiating the fundus Er is reflected and scattered by each layer in the retina, and returns to the fiber coupler 104 via the above-described optical path.

On the other hand, the reference beam branched by the fiber coupler 104 is output as a parallel beam from a collimator 118 via a PM fiber 117. The output reference beam is polarized by a λ/4 polarizing plate 119 arranged to be inclined at an angle of 22.5° from the P-polarization to the S-polarization with the optical axis as the rotational axis, similarly as the measuring beam. The λ/4 polarizing plate 119 is an example of the polarization adjustment member for the reference beam for adjusting the polarization state of the reference beam. The reference beam is reflected via a dispersion compensation glass 120 by a mirror 122 mounted on a coherence gate stage 121, and returns to the fiber coupler 104. The reference beam passes through the λ/4 polarizing plate 119 twice, so that the linearly-polarized beam returns to the fiber coupler 104.

The coherence gate stage 121 is controlled by the drive control unit 180 to deal with differences in an axial length of the subject's eye. The coherence gate is the position corresponding to an optical path length of the reference beam in the optical path of the measuring beam. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the optical path length of the reference beam is changeable. However, it is not limited thereto, as long as the difference in the optical path lengths of the measuring beam and the reference beam can be changed.

The return beam and the reference beam that have returned to the fiber coupler 104 are combined into an interference beam (also referred to as a combined beam). The interference beam is incident on the fiber coupler 123 including the polarizing beam splitter and is split at the branching ratio of 50:50 into a P-polarized beam and an S-polarized beam of different polarization directions.

The P-polarized beam is dispersed by a grating 131 via a PM fiber 124 and a collimator 130, and is received by a lens 132 and a line camera 133. The S-polarized beam is similarly dispersed by a grating 127 via a PM fiber 125 and a collimator 126, and is received by a lens 128 and a line camera 129. The gratings 127 and 131 and the line cameras 129 and 133 are arranged to match the direction of each polarization direction.

The beam received by each of the line cameras 129 and 133 is output as an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity. The signal-processing unit 190, which is an example of a tomographic image generation unit, then receives the output electrical signals.

The inclinations of the λ/4 polarizing plates 113 and 119 can be automatically adjusted based on the inclination of the polarizing beam splitter surface of the polarizing beam splitter. The inclinations of the λ/4 polarizing plates 113 and 119 can also be automatically adjusted with respect to a virtual line connecting centers of an optical disk and a macula lutea in the fundus. In such a case, it is desirable for an inclination detection unit (not illustrated) to detect the inclinations of the λ/4 polarizing plates 113 and 119. The inclination detection unit can detect the current inclination and detect whether the inclination has reached a predetermined inclination. Further, the inclinations of the λ/4 polarizing plates 113 and 119 can be detected based on the intensity of the received light, and the inclinations can be adjusted so that a predetermined intensity is reached. Furthermore, an object indicating the inclination may be displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI), and the user may adjust the inclination using a mouse. Moreover, a similar result can be acquired by adjusting a polarizing beam splitter and the λ/4 polarizing plates 113 and 119 based on the vertical direction as a polarization basis.

The configuration of the PS-SLO 140 will be described below.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, a light source 141, i.e., a semiconductor laser, emits a light beam having a central wavelength of 780 nm. The measuring beam emitted from the light source 141 (hereinafter referred to as a measuring beam for a fundus image, or an SLO measuring beam) is transmitted via a PM fiber 142 to a polarizing controller 145 where it is converted into a linearly-polarized beam, and is output from a collimator 143 as a parallel beam. The output measuring beam then passes through a perforated portion of a perforated mirror 144, and reaches a dichroic mirror 154 via a lens 155, an X scanner 146, lenses 147 and 148, and a Y scanner 149. The X scanner 146 includes a galvano mirror that scans the measuring beam in the horizontal direction on the fundus Er, and the Y scanner 149 includes a galvano mirror that scans the measuring beam in the vertical direction on the fundus Er. The X scanner 146 and the Y scanner 149 are controlled by the drive control unit 180, and are capable of scanning the measuring beam in the desired range on the fundus Er. Further, the X scanner 146 and the Y scanner 149 are examples of a scanning unit for the PS-SLO, and may be configured as a common XY scanner. The dichroic mirror 154 reflects light having wavelengths of 760 nm to 800 nm, and transmits light of other wavelengths.

The linearly-polarized measuring beam reflected by the dichroic mirror 154 reaches the fundus Er via the optical path similar to that of the PS-OCT 100.

The measuring beam irradiating the fundus Er is reflected and scattered by the fundus Er, and reaches the perforated mirror 144 via the above-described optical path. The beam reflected by the perforated mirror 144 is then split by a polarizing beam splitter 151 via the lens 150 into beams of different polarization directions (i.e., according to the present exemplary embodiment, split into a P-polarized beam and an S-polarized beam). The split beams are received by respective avalanche photodiodes (APD) 152 and 153, converted into electrical signals and received by the signal-processing unit 190, i.e., an example of the fundus image generation unit.

The position of the perforated mirror 144 is conjugate with the position of the pupil in the subject's eye. The perforated mirror 144 reflects the light that has passed through a peripheral region of the pupil among the light reflected and scattered by the fundus Er irradiated with the measuring beam.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, both the PS-OCT and the PS-SLO use the PM fiber. However, a similar configuration and effect may be acquired by using a single mode fiber (SMF) in the case where the polarizing controller controls polarization.

The anterior segment imaging unit 160 will be described below.

The anterior segment imaging unit 160 irradiates the anterior segment Ea using an irradiation light source 115 including light emitting diodes (LED) 115-a and 115-b, which emit irradiation light having a wavelength of 1000 nm. The light reflected by the anterior segment Ea reaches a dichroic mirror 161 via the lens 114, the polarizing plate 113, the lens 112 and the dichroic mirrors 111 and 154. The dichroic mirror 161 reflects light having wavelengths of 980 nm to 1100 nm, and transmits light of other wavelengths. The light reflected by the dichroic mirror 161 is then received by an anterior segment camera 165 via lenses 162, 163, and 164. The light received by the anterior segment camera 165 is converted into an electrical signal and is received by the signal-processing unit 190.

The internal fixation lamp 170 will be described below.

The interior fixation lamp 170 includes an interior fixation lamp display unit 171 and a lens 172. A plurality of LEDs arranged in a matrix shape is used as the interior fixation lamp display unit 171. A lighting position of the LED is changed by control performed by the drive control unit 180 according to a region to be imaged. The light emitted from the interior fixation lamp display unit 171 is guided to the subject's eye via the lens 172. The interior fixation lamp display unit 171 emits light having a wavelength of 520 nm, and the drive control unit 180 displays a desired pattern.

A control unit 200 for controlling the entire apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below.

The control unit 200 includes the drive control unit 180, the signal-processing unit 190, a display control unit 191, and a display unit 192.

The drive control unit 180 controls each unit as described above.

The signal-processing unit 190 generates images based on the signals output from the line cameras 129 and 133, the APD 152 and 153, and the anterior segment camera 165, analyzes the generated images, and generates visualization information of the analysis results. The image generation process will be described in detail below.

The display control unit 191 displays, on a display screen in the display unit 192, the images generated by a tomographic image generation unit and a fundus image generation unit and acquired by a fundus image acquisition unit (not illustrated) and a tomographic image acquisition unit (not illustrated). The display unit 192 may be a liquid crystal display. The image data generated by the signal-processing unit 190 may be transmitted to the display control unit 191 via wired or wireless communication. In such a case, the display control unit 191 may be considered as the image processing apparatus. Further, the fundus image acquisition unit may include the SLO optical system, and the tomographic image acquisition unit may include the OCT optical system, as the respective imaging system. According to the present exemplary embodiment, if the subject is other than the subject's eye, the fundus image (i.e., a fundus intensity image) may be indicated as a planar image (i.e., a plane intensity image), and the fundus image acquisition unit as a planar image acquisition unit.

The display unit 192 displays display forms indicating various types of information to be described below based on control performed by the display control unit 191. Image data from the display control unit 191 may be transmitted to the display unit 192 via wired or wireless communication. Further, the display unit 192 is included in the control unit 200. However, it is not limited thereto, and the display unit 192 may be separated from the control unit 200. Furthermore, a tablet, which is an example of a portable device, configured by integrating the display control unit 191 and the display unit 192 may be used. In such a case, it is desirable to include a touch panel function in the display unit, so that a user can operate the touch panel to move the display position of the images, enlarge and reduce the images, and change the images to be displayed.

Image generation and image analysis processes performed in the signal-processing unit 190 will be described below.

The signal-processing unit 190 performs, on interference signals output from each of the line cameras 129 and 133, reconfiguration processing employed in a common spectral domain (SD-) OCT. The signal-processing unit 190 thus generates a tomographic image corresponding to a first polarized beam and a tomographic image corresponding to a second polarized beam, i.e., two tomographic images each based on a polarization component.

More specifically, the signal-processing unit 190 performs fixed pattern noise cancellation on the interference signals. The fixed pattern noise cancellation is performed by averaging a plurality of A-scan signals that has been detected and thus extracting the fixed pattern noise, and subtracting the extracted fixed pattern noise from the input interference signal.

The signal-processing unit 190 then transforms the wavelength of the interference signal to a wave number and performs Fourier transform to the signal so that a tomographic signal indicating the polarization state is generated.

The signal-processing unit 190 performs the above-described process for the interference signals of the two polarization components, and thus generates the two tomographic images.

Further, the signal-processing unit 190 aligns the signals output from the APD 152 and 153 in synchronization with driving of the X scanner 146 and the Y scanner 149. The signal-processing unit 190 thus generates a fundus image corresponding to the first polarized beam and a fundus image corresponding to the second polarized beam, i.e., two fundus images each based on a polarization component.

Furthermore, the signal-processing unit 190 generates a tomographic intensity image from the above-described two tomographic signals.

More specifically, the tomographic intensity image is basically the same as the tomographic image in the conventional OCT. A pixel value r of the tomographic intensity image is calculated from tomographic signals A_(H) and A_(V) acquired from each of the line cameras 129 and 133 using equation (1).

r=√{square root over (A _(H) ² +A _(V) ²)}  (1)

Moreover, the signal-processing unit 190 similarly generates a fundus intensity image from the two fundus images.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of the tomographic intensity image of the optic disk.

When the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 is removed from the optical path, the display control unit 191 may display, on the display unit 192, the tomographic intensity image acquired employing the conventional OCT technique, or the fundus intensity image acquired employing the conventional SLO technique.

Further, the signal-processing unit 190 generates a retardation image from the tomographic images of the polarization components that are perpendicular to each other.

A value δ of each pixel in the retardation image is a value indicating a ratio of the effects received by the vertical polarization component and the horizontal polarization component in the subject's eye, at the position of each pixel configuring the tomographic image. The value δ is calculated from each of the tomographic signals A_(H) and A_(V) using equation (2).

$\begin{matrix} {\delta = {\arctan \left\lbrack \frac{A_{V}}{A_{H}} \right\rbrack}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the retardation image of the optic disk generated as described above. The retardation image can be acquired by calculating equation (2) for each B-scan image. As described above, the retardation image is a tomographic image indicating the difference of the effect received by the two polarized beams in the subject's eye. Referring to FIG. 2B, the values indicating the above-described ratio are displayed as a color tomographic image. A darker-shaded portion indicates that the value of the ratio is small, and a lighter-shaded portion indicates that the value of the ratio is large. As a result, generating the retardation image enables the recognition of a layer in which there is birefringence. For further details, refer to “E. Gotzinger et al., Opt. Express 13, 10217, 2005”.

Furthermore, the signal-processing unit 190 can similarly generate a retardation image in a planar direction of the fundus based on the outputs from the APD 152 and 153.

The signal-processing unit 190 generates a retardation map from the retardation images acquired with respect to a plurality of B-scan images.

More specifically, the signal-processing unit 190 detects a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in each B-scan image. Since the RPE cancels polarization, the signal-processing unit 190 searches for a retardation distribution of each A-scan along the depth direction in the range from an inner limiting membrane (ILM) without including the RPE. The signal-processing unit 190 then sets a maximum value of the retardation as a representative value of the retardation in the A-scan.

The signal-processing unit 190 performs the above-described process on all retardation images, and thus generates the retardation map.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example of the retardation map of the optic disk. Referring to FIG. 2C, the darker-shaded portion indicates that the value of the ratio A_(V):A_(H) is small, and the lighter-shaded portion indicates that the value of the ratio is large. The layer having birefringence in the optic disk is a retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). The ratio of A_(V):A_(H) that gives rise to the value of δ is affected by the birefringence in the RNFL and the thickness of the RNFL. Indeed, a birefringent property that enables a beam with a first polarization to pass through a layer with such a birefringent property but that inhibits a beam with a second polarization to pass will give a detected intensity value that is much greater for the first beam than for the second beam. Thus, A_(V) for example may be much greater than A_(H), giving a much higher value for A_(V)/A_(H) than if the layer did not have a birefringent property. As a result, the value (δ) indicating the ratio becomes large where the RNFL is thick, and becomes small where the RNFL is thin. The thickness of the RNFL for the entire fundus thus becomes recognizable using the retardation map, and can be used in the diagnosis of glaucoma.

The signal-processing unit 190 performs linear approximation of the value of the retardation 5 in the range of ILM to RNFL (which are the two first anterior layers in the retina) in each A scan image of the previously-generated retardation image. The signal-processing unit 190 then determines the acquired slope as the birefringence at the position on the retina in the A-scan image. In other words, since retardation is a product of a distance and the birefringence in the RNFL, a linear relation is acquired by plotting the depth and the value of the retardation in each A-scan image. As a result, linear approximation is performed on the plot using a least square method, and the acquired slope becomes the value of the birefringence in the RNFL in the A-scan image. The signal-processing unit 190 performs the above-described process on all of the acquired retardation images, and generates the map representing the birefringence.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example of the birefringence map of the optic disk. The birefringence map directly maps the values of the birefringence. As a result, when a fibrous architecture of the RNFL changes even if the thickness of the RNFL does not change, the change can be visualized as the change in the birefringence.

The signal-processing unit 190 calculates a Stokes vector S for each pixel from the acquired tomographic signals A_(H) and A_(V), and a phase difference ΔΦ between the tomographic signals A_(H) and A_(V), using equation (3).

$\begin{matrix} {S = {\begin{pmatrix} I \\ Q \\ U \\ V \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} {A_{H}^{2} + A_{V}^{2}} \\ {A_{H}^{2} - A_{V}^{2}} \\ {2A_{H}A_{V}\cos \; {\Delta\Phi}} \\ {2A_{H}A_{V}\sin \; {\Delta\Phi}} \end{pmatrix}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

In such a case, ΔΦ is calculated from phases Φ_(H) and Φ_(V) of each signal acquired when calculating the two tomographic images, as ΔΦ=Φ_(V)−Φ_(H).

The signal-processing unit 190 then sets, in each B-scan image, a window of the size that is proximately 70 μm in a main scanning direction of the measuring beam and 18 μm in a depth direction. The signal-processing unit 190 then averages each element of the Stokes vector calculated for each pixel by a number C within each window, and calculates a degree of polarization uniformity (DOPU) within the window using equation (4).

DOPU=√{square root over (Q _(m) ² +U _(m) ² +V _(m) ²)}  (4)

In equation (4), Q_(m), U_(m), and V_(m) are values acquired by averaging the elements Q, U, and V in the Stokes vector within each window. The signal-processing unit 190 performs the above-described process for all windows in the B-scan images, and generates a DOPU image of the optic disk as illustrated in FIG. 2E. As described above, the DOPU image is a tomographic image indicating the degree of polarization uniformity of the two types of polarization.

DOPU is a value indicating the uniformity of polarization, and becomes close to “1” when polarization is preserved, and smaller than “1” when polarization is cancelled or not preserved. Since the RPE in the structure of the retina cancels the polarization state, the value of the DOPU in the portion corresponding to the RPE in the DOPU image becomes lower than the values in the other portions. Referring to FIG. 2E, the lighter-shaded portion indicates the RPE. The DOPU image visualizes the layer such as the RPE that cancels polarization, so that the image of the RPE can be firmly acquired as compared to the change in the intensity even when the RPE is deformed due to a disease.

Further, the signal-processing unit 190 can similarly generate a DOPU image in the planar direction of the fundus based on the outputs from the APD 152 and 153.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the above-described tomographic images corresponding to the first and second polarized beams (FIG. 2A), the retardation image (FIG. 2B), and the DOPU image (FIG. 2E) will be referred to as tomographic images indicating the polarization state. Further, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the above-described retardation map (FIG. 2C) and the birefringence map (FIG. 2D) will also be referred to as fundus images indicating the polarization state.

The signal-processing unit 190 uses the above-described intensity image to perform segmentation of the tomographic image.

More specifically, the signal-processing unit 190 applies, to the tomographic image to be processed, a median filter as a type of smoothing filter, and a Sobel filter as a type of edge detection method. The signal-processing unit 190 thus generates respective images (hereinafter referred to as a median image and a Sobel image). The signal-processing unit 190 then generates a profile for each A-scan from the generated median image and Sobel image. The signal-processing unit 190 generates the profile of the intensity value from the median image and the profile of a gradient from the Sobel image. The signal-processing unit 190 detects peaks in the profiles generated from the Sobel image. Further, signal-processing unit 190 extracts a boundary of each layer in the retina by referring to the profiles of the median image corresponding to regions before and after the detected peaks and the regions between the detected peaks.

Further, the signal-processing unit 190 measures each layer thickness in the direction of the A-scan line, and generates a layer thickness map of each layer.

The operation performed in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation performed by the image-processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

In step S101, the image processing apparatus and the subject's eye positioned on the image processing apparatus are aligned. The process unique to the present exemplary embodiment with respect to performing alignment will be described below. Since alignment of a working distance in X, Y, and Z directions, focusing, and adjustment of the coherence gate are common, description of this will be omitted.

FIG. 4 illustrates a window 400 displayed on the display unit 192 when performing adjustment. Referring to FIG. 4, a display area 410, i.e., an example of a first display area, displays a fundus image 411 imaged by the PS-SLO 140 and generated by the signal-processing unit 190. A frame 412 indicating an imaging range of the PS-OCT 100 is superimposed on the fundus image 411.

An operator sets the imaging range under control of the drive control unit 180, by clicking and dragging an instruction device (not illustrated), such as a mouse, and designating by a cursor displayed on the window 400. In other words, the operator designates the frame 412 using the cursor, and moves the frame 412 using the dragging operation. As a result, the drive control unit 180 controls a drive angle of a scanner and sets the imaging range. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the mouse includes a sensor for detecting a movement signal when the user manually moves the mouse in two directions, left and right mouse buttons for detecting that the user has pressed the button, and a wheel mechanism between the two mouse buttons which is movable in front and back and left to right directions. Further, the display unit may include a touch panel function, and the operator may designate the acquisition position on the touch panel. Of course, any type of instruction device may be used, such as a joystick, keyboard keys or touch screen.

The adjustment of the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 4, indicators 413 and 414 are displayed for adjusting the angle of the λ/4 polarizing plate 113. When the user instructs using the instruction device, the angle of the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 is adjusted based on control of the drive control unit 180. The indicator 413 is for instructing adjustment in a counterclockwise direction, and the indicator 414 is for instructing adjustment in a clockwise direction. A numerical value displayed beside the indicators 413 and 414 indicates the current angle of the λ/4 polarizing plate 113. The display control unit 191 may display the indicator for adjusting the angle of the λ/4 polarizing plate 119 side by side with the indicator 413 on the display unit 192, or in place of the indicator 413.

The operator gives, using the cursor by operating on the mouse, an instruction so that the intensities of the tomographic images of each polarized beam respectively displayed on a display area 430, i.e., an example of a third display area, and a display area 440, i.e., an example of a fourth display area, become the same. A peak intensity value may be displayed along with tomographic images 431 and 441 of each polarized beam, or a waveform of each interference signal may be displayed, so that the operator performs adjustment while viewing the peak intensity value or the waveform. The tomographic images 431 and 441 of each polarized beam are examples of tomographic images corresponding to the first polarized beam and the second polarized beam, respectively. It is desirable to display a type of each image on the tomographic images 431 and 441 of each polarized beam (or tomographic images 531 and 541 to be described below). For example, a letter “P” indicating the P-polarized beam and a letter “S” indicating the S-polarized beam may be displayed. As a result, such a display prevents the user from misrecognizing the image. The letters may be displayed above or besides the image instead of being superimposed on the image, as long as the display is arranged to be associated with the image.

It is not necessary at this point for a display area 420, i.e., an example of a second display area, to display any information. If auto adjustment is to be performed, the current adjustment state, such as a message informing “adjusting λ/4 polarizing plate”, may be displayed on the display area 420. Further, a display indicating patient information such as a left eye or a right eye, or image capturing information such as an image capturing mode may be performed on the window 400. Furthermore, it is desirable to repeatedly insert and remove the λ/4 polarizing plate 113 with respect to the optical path for alternately acquiring the fundus intensity image and the tomographic image indicating the polarization state. As a result, the display control unit 191 even in a minimum-sized ophthalmologic apparatus can display the fundus intensity image on the display area 410 and the tomographic image indicating the polarization state on the display area 420.

It is desirable to perform adjustment in the following order: alignment adjustment using the anterior segment image or a luminescent spot in a cornea; focus adjustment using the fundus image indicating the polarization state; coherence gate adjustment using the tomographic image indicating the polarization state; and adjustment of the λ/4 polarizing plate. Further, it is desirable to determine the acquisition position of the tomographic image indicating the polarization state before adjusting the coherence gate using the tomographic image indicating the polarization state. However, the acquisition position may be determined in an initial setting for acquiring a center region of the fundus image indicating the polarization state. Adjustment can thus be simply performed to acquire the tomographic image accurately indicating the polarization state that is finer and corresponding to a narrower range as compared to the fundus image indicating the polarization state. In such a case, the λ/4 polarizing plate may be automatically adjusted in response to completion of adjustment of the coherence gate, or in response to input of a signal for acquiring the image indicating the polarization state. Further, the λ/4 polarizing plate may be adjusted in advance on an initial setting screen when activating the ophthalmologic apparatus, so that the λ/4 polarizing plate is not required to be adjusted for each image capture.

Furthermore, if the λ/4 polarizing plate can be inserted and removed with respect to the optical path, it is desirable to perform adjustment in the following order: alignment adjustment using the anterior segment image or the luminescent spot in the cornea; focus adjustment using the SLO fundus image; coherence gate adjustment using the OCT tomographic image; and adjustment of the λ/4 polarizing plate after inserting the λ/4 polarizing plate in the optical path. Adjustment can thus be performed before acquiring the image indicating the polarization state, using the normal SLO fundus image and the OCT tomographic image that the user is intuitively used to. The coherence gate may also be adjusted using the tomographic image indicating the polarization state of the PS-OCT by inserting the λ/4 polarizing plate after performing focus adjustment. In such a case, the λ/4 polarizing plate may be automatically inserted in response to completion of adjustment of the coherence gate, or in response to input of the signal for acquiring the image indicating the polarization state.

Moreover, the focus may be finely adjusted using the OCT tomographic image after coarsely adjusting the focus using the SLO fundus image.

Further, all of such adjustments may be automatically performed in the above-described order, or by the user adjusting the cursor to a slider corresponding to each type of adjustment displayed on the display unit and performing dragging. Furthermore, if the λ/4 polarizing plate is to be inserted or removed, an icon instructing inserting or removing the λ/4 polarizing plate with respect to the optical path may be displayed on the display unit.

In step S102, step S103, and step S104 illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the light sources 101 and 141 emits the measuring beam. The line cameras 129 and 133 and the APD 152 and 153 then receive the return beam, and the signal-processing unit 190 generates and analyzes each image as described above.

The process for outputting the generated image and the analysis result performed in step S105 will be described below.

After the signal-processing unit 190 completes generating and analyzing each image, the display control unit 191 generates output information based on the result. The display control unit 191 then outputs to and displays on the display unit 192 the output information.

FIG. 5 illustrates a display example on the display unit 192 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a window 500 displayed on the display unit 192 includes display areas 510, 520, 530, and 540.

The display area 510, i.e., an example of the first display area, displays a fundus image 511, and a rectangular frame 512 indicating the position of the tomographic image is superimposed on the fundus image 511. The fundus intensity image is displayed as the fundus image 511. However, the fundus image may be generated based on a polarization signal.

The display area 520, i.e., an example of the second display area, displays a tomographic image 521. Further, the display area 520 displays buttons 522, 523, 524, and 525, i.e., examples of a selection unit for selecting the type of the tomographic image to be displayed. The user may select the type of the tomographic image from a menu instead of us ing the buttons 522, 523, 524, and 525. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the user has selected the button 522. By selecting different images to view, the user may be able to discern different information about the eye and determine where there are discontinuous portions in certain layers and also in which layers these discontinuous portions lie.

The display area 530, i.e., an example of a third display area, and the display area 540, i.e., an example of a fourth display area, respectively display tomographic images 531 and 541 based on each polarization signal used in generating the tomographic image 521. The display areas 530 and 540 may also display each fundus image based on each polarization signal from which the fundus image displayed on the display area 510 has been generated, according to an instruction by the operator via the menu.

It is desirable to display the tomographic intensity image 521, and a retardation image 621 and a DOPU image 721 to be described below, by superimposing the display form indicating the type of the image, such as “intensity”, “retardation”, and “DOPU” written in characters as shown in the top left of the respective display area in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. As a result, the user can be prevented from misrecognizing the image. The type of image may be displayed above or besides the image instead of being superimposed on the image, as long as the characters are arranged to be associated with the image.

If the operator selects the button 523, the tomographic image displayed on the display area 520 can be changed to a retardation image 621 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The retardation image enables the user to discern discontinuities in the RNFL, for example.

Referring to FIG. 6, the display areas 530 and 540 respectively display the tomographic images 531 and 541 similarly as in FIG. 5.

If the operator then selects the button 524, the tomographic image displayed on the display area 520 can be changed to a DOPU image 721 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The DOPU image enables the RPE to be discerned and discontinuities in the RPE to be seen.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display area 530 displays the intensity image 521, and the display area 540 displays the retardation image 621. It is desirable to provide a button for selecting the image for each display area. The user thus becomes capable of easily selecting the images to be compared, such as a plurality of tomographic images indicating different polarization states.

If the operator selects the button 525, the tomographic image displayed on the display area 520 can be changed to an image 821 indicating a segmentation result as illustrated in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 8, color line segments indicating the layer boundaries are superimposed on the tomographic image and displayed in the image 821, and the RPE is highlighted (shown in the Figure as shaded with dots). The layer selected by the operator using the cursor is highlighted and this may be the RPE in the illustrated case. Highlighting different layers in the retina enables the user to differentiate the layers and to determine whether there are discontinuous portions in the layers and if so, in which layers the discontinuous portions are located.

The display area 540 displays a tomographic image 841, used in performing segmentation, and buttons 842 and 843. If the operator selects the button 843 instead of button 842 as illustrated in FIG. 8, the intensity image 841 can be switched to a graph 941, illustrated in FIG. 9, indicating, for example, the layer thickness (and therefore any discontinuities in the thickness) of the highlighted layer.

Further, referring to FIG. 9, thickness information of the selected layer (e.g., a two-dimensional layer thickness map as illustrated in FIG. 10) may be displayed on the display area 530. Referring to FIG. 10, the thickness of the selected layer is expressed by a difference in color (or grey shade, as illustrated in FIG. 10). An integration image may be displayed in place of the thickness of the selected layer illustrated in FIG. 10. The integration image refers to a two-dimensional image generated by adding together at least portions of a three-dimensional OCT image in the depth direction (the z direction). The integration image may be generated based on a specific layer or on the entire PS-OCT. Further, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the image to be displayed is changed according to the instruction of the operator. However, the information on the disease to be diagnosed, such as the name of the disease, may be selected from the menu, and the image on which a priority order has been preset with respect to the disease may be displayed on each display area. Furthermore, on the display area 510, 530, or the like, an image obtained by superimposing the display form 1102 indicating the discontinuity on the fundus image 1101, as illustrated in FIG. 11, may be displayed. Furthermore, on the display area 510, 530, or the like, an image obtained by superimposing the fundus image 1101 on the fundus photograph 1106, as illustrated in FIG. 12, may be displayed.

Furthermore, the display control unit 191 may display, on one of the display areas in the display unit 192, the retardation map or the birefringence map instead of the above-described images. Moreover, the display control unit 191 may superimpose and display the retardation map and the birefringence map on the fundus intensity image 511. In such a case, it is desirable to superimpose and display the retardation map or the birefringence map on the area indicated by the frame 512.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, each of the generated images can be efficiently presented to the operator.

Further, the operator can select the necessary images with easy operation. In particular, the operation becomes easier by previously associating the name of the disease with the image to be displayed.

Furthermore, polarization adjustment of the measuring beam can be easily performed.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the positions of the display areas in which the above-described images are displayed are not limited thereto. For example, the fundus image may be displayed in the left display area in the display screen. Further, the number of images to be displayed is not limited thereto. For example, the fundus image and the tomographic image (i.e., two images) may be displayed side by side on the display screen when performing adjustment. The display method may then be changed after performing image capturing, and a plurality of tomographic images indicating different polarization states may be displayed side by side on the display screen along with the fundus image. Furthermore, the order and the positions in which the buttons 522, 523, 524, and 525 are arranged are not limited thereto.

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment (s), and by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. 2012-010281 filed Jan. 20, 2012 and No. 2012-186591 filed Aug. 27, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a fundus image acquisition unit configured to acquire a fundus image of an eye; a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a polarization-sensitive tomographic image of the eye; and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display, superimposed on a position in the fundus image which corresponds to a discontinuous portion in a predetermined layer of the eye shown in the polarization-sensitive tomographic image, a display form indicating the discontinuous portion.
 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tomographic image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a tomographic intensity image of the eye, and wherein the display control unit is configured to cause the display unit to display a display form indicating the predetermined layer of the eye superimposed on the tomographic intensity image.
 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tomographic image acquisition unit is configured to acquire the tomographic intensity image based on the polarization-sensitive tomographic image.
 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an acquisition position of the polarization-sensitive tomographic image and an acquisition position of the tomographic intensity image are the same position of the eye.
 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is configured to cause the display unit to display a fundus image, on which a display form indicating the discontinuous portion is superimposed, to be itself superimposed on a color fundus image of the eye.
 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a designation unit configured to designate, in a case where a plurality of discontinuous portions exists in the predetermined layer of the eye, at least one of the plurality of discontinuous portions in the fundus image, wherein the display control unit is configured to cause the display unit to display a display form of the designated discontinuous portion in a different format from other discontinuous portions.
 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit is configured to change a display form of a designated discontinuous portion in a tomographic intensity image of the eye to a display form different from other discontinuous portions.
 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a layer extraction unit configured to extract the predetermined layer from the polarization-sensitive tomographic image; and an identification unit configured to identify the discontinuous portion of the predetermined layer.
 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tomographic image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a three-dimensional tomographic image formed of a plurality of two-dimensional polarization-sensitive tomographic images of the eye, wherein the layer extraction unit is configured to extract a three-dimensional layer region as the predetermined layer from the three-dimensional tomographic image, wherein the identification unit is configured to identify a three-dimensional discontinuous region as the discontinuous portion based on the three-dimensional layer region, and wherein the display control unit is configured to cause the display unit to display a display form indicating the discontinuous portion superimposed on a two-dimensional region of the fundus image corresponding to the three-dimensional discontinuous region.
 10. An image processing method comprising: acquiring a fundus image of an eye; acquiring a polarization-sensitive tomographic image of the eye; and displaying, superimposed on a position in the fundus image which corresponds to a discontinuous portion in a predetermined layer of the eye in the polarization-sensitive tomographic image, a display form indicating the discontinuous portion.
 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: irradiating a fundus of the eye with two beams of differently-polarized light; receiving reflected beams corresponding to the two beam; displaying two polarization-sensitive tomographic images based on the respective received, reflected beams; adjusting a λ/4 polarization plate positioned in the optical path of the two beams in order to adjust the relative intensity of the received, reflective beams; and displaying a tomographic intensity image resulting from interference of the polarization-adjusted, received, reflected beams.
 12. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the image processing method according to claim
 10. 